Apex & Armor

Best Simpson Helmets

Four helmets that all look like a Bandit and are not certified the same way at all — one to DOT and SNELL, two to DOT and ECE, one to DOT and the superseded ECE 22.05. The range, decoded.

By Stephen V.Last updated How we research

Simpson is a motorsport company that wandered into motorcycling. Bill Simpson made drag-racing parachutes and then racing helmets, and the Bandit shape — the wide slot eyeport, the aggressive brow, the outline nobody else has — comes straight out of that world. If you are looking at Simpson, you already know why. Nothing else looks like one.

What is much less obvious is that the four helmets below, which share that silhouette closely enough to be mistaken for each other at twenty feet, carry four different certification stories. The Outlaw Bandit 3.0 Carbon is DOT and SNELL M2020. The Ghost Bandit and Mod Bandit are DOT and ECE. The Speed Bandit is DOT and ECE 22.05 — the superseded European standard, not the current 22.06 with its rotational and multi-point impact testing.

We read every one of those from Simpson’s own published specs on 19 August 2026 rather than assuming the range is homologated consistently, because it is not. Below, each model with what it is actually rated to, what it weighs where Simpson publishes a figure, and who it suits. Our certification guide explains what separates those marks.

How this is funded: we earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. It never changes which gear we recommend, and we’ll tell you plainly when to skip a pick. Full disclosure.

Quick picks

Ranked on certification, spec and buyer fit. Select a row to jump to the full write-up. We haven’t crash-tested this gear — here is exactly what we do instead.

#GearBest forPrice
1
Simpson Ghost Bandit

Simpson Ghost Bandit

DOT + ECE

The Bandit silhouette with the touring features bolted on: a composite shell, DOT and ECE certification, a drop-down sun visor and molded speaker pockets. It is the Simpson you can actually commute in without giving up the look people buy Simpsons for.

Best overall
$440.95 · View on Amazon

Price as of September 4, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

2
Simpson Outlaw Bandit 3.0 Carbon

Simpson Outlaw Bandit 3.0 Carbon

DOT + SNELL M2020

The one Simpson that carries SNELL M2020 on top of DOT, in a carbon shell that Simpson claims is 10% lighter than the model it replaced. At 3.37 lb it is the lightest lid in the range and the only one certified beyond the legal floor plus ECE.

Best certification
$699.95 · View on Amazon

Price as of September 4, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

3
Simpson Mod Bandit

Simpson Mod Bandit

DOT + ECE

Simpson's flip-front, and the only way to get the Bandit look with a chin bar that lifts. Two shell sizes and a published 3.73 lb weight put it in the normal range for a modular — heavier than a full-face, exactly as the hinge and latch imply.

Best flip-front
$589.95 · View on Amazon

Price as of September 4, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

4
Simpson Speed Bandit

Simpson Speed Bandit

DOT FMVSS 218 + ECE 22.05

The way into the brand: a thermo-injected polycarbonate shell in three sizes, DOT plus ECE 22.05, and the ultra-wide Bandit eyeport. Read the certification carefully — 22.05 is the previous European standard, not the current 22.06.

Best value
$309.95 · View on Amazon

Price as of September 4, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

The picks in full

#1Best overallDOT + ECE

Simpson Ghost Bandit

The Bandit silhouette with the touring features bolted on: a composite shell, DOT and ECE certification, a drop-down sun visor and molded speaker pockets. It is the Simpson you can actually commute in without giving up the look people buy Simpsons for.

Strengths

  • DOT + ECE certified, not DOT-only like a lot of style-led helmets
  • Internal drop-down sun visor and integrated speaker and boom-mic pockets
  • Tool-free shield removal and a removable, antibacterial liner

Trade-offs

  • Simpson does not publish a shell weight for this model
  • Simpson's own guidance is that it runs slightly small — size up if you are between sizes
Safety standardDOT + ECE
ConstructionLightweight composite shell
Claimed weightCheck current listing
Key featureDOT + ECE with a drop-down sun visor
Fit / sizingRuns slightly small; Simpson advises the larger size if you are between two
Best forRiders who want the Bandit shape but need a sun visor and comms pockets

Specs and certification read from the manufacturer and retailer listing, on August 19, 2026. “Check current listing” means the maker doesn’t publish that figure — we won’t guess it.

#2Best certificationDOT + SNELL M2020

Simpson Outlaw Bandit 3.0 Carbon

The one Simpson that carries SNELL M2020 on top of DOT, in a carbon shell that Simpson claims is 10% lighter than the model it replaced. At 3.37 lb it is the lightest lid in the range and the only one certified beyond the legal floor plus ECE.

Strengths

  • DOT + SNELL M2020 — the only Simpson here tested to the independent standard
  • Carbon fiber shell at 3.37 lb (about 1,529 g), a claimed 10% lighter than the previous Outlaw Bandit
  • Three shell sizes and a four-position ratcheting shield that stays put at speed

Trade-offs

  • The most expensive helmet Simpson sells on this listing
  • Cycle Gear's spec sheet lists DOT and SNELL only — no ECE approval is published for it
Safety standardDOT + SNELL M2020
ConstructionCarbon fiber shell
Claimed weight1,529 g
Key featureDOT + SNELL M2020 in carbon
Fit / sizingThree shells: XS-SM, MD-LG, XL-2XL
Best forRiders who want the Simpson look and the toughest voluntary certification

Specs and certification read from the manufacturer and retailer listing, on August 19, 2026. “Check current listing” means the maker doesn’t publish that figure — we won’t guess it.

#3Best flip-frontDOT + ECE

Simpson Mod Bandit

Simpson's flip-front, and the only way to get the Bandit look with a chin bar that lifts. Two shell sizes and a published 3.73 lb weight put it in the normal range for a modular — heavier than a full-face, exactly as the hinge and latch imply.

Strengths

  • DOT + ECE certified in a flip-front, which not every style brand manages
  • Two shell sizes (XS-MD, LG-2XL) rather than one shell stretched across the range
  • Drop-down sun visor, speaker and mic pockets, removable antibacterial liner

Trade-offs

  • 3.73 lb (about 1,692 g) — the hinge and latch cost weight, as they do on every modular
  • Premium price for a modular at this certification level
Safety standardDOT + ECE
ConstructionLightweight composite shell
Claimed weight1,692 g
Key featureDOT + ECE flip-front, two shell sizes
Fit / sizingTwo shells: XS-MD and LG-2XL
Best forBandit-look riders who stop often and want the chin bar out of the way

Specs and certification read from the manufacturer and retailer listing, on August 19, 2026. “Check current listing” means the maker doesn’t publish that figure — we won’t guess it.

#4Best valueDOT FMVSS 218 + ECE 22.05

Simpson Speed Bandit

The way into the brand: a thermo-injected polycarbonate shell in three sizes, DOT plus ECE 22.05, and the ultra-wide Bandit eyeport. Read the certification carefully — 22.05 is the previous European standard, not the current 22.06.

Strengths

  • Three shell sizes, which keeps the outer profile down on smaller heads
  • Ultra-wide face shield with four detents and a locking position
  • Double D-ring closure and a removable, washable liner with speaker cutouts

Trade-offs

  • ECE approval is to 22.05, the superseded standard — 22.06 added rotational testing
  • Polycarbonate rather than composite, and Simpson publishes no weight for it
Safety standardDOT FMVSS 218 + ECE 22.05
ConstructionThermo-injected polycarbonate shell
Claimed weightCheck current listing
Key featureDOT + ECE 22.05, three shell sizes
Fit / sizingIntermediate oval; three shells across the size range
Best forRiders who want the Bandit shape at the lowest price Simpson sells it for

Specs and certification read from the manufacturer and retailer listing, on August 19, 2026. “Check current listing” means the maker doesn’t publish that figure — we won’t guess it.

The certification differences, in one place

  • Outlaw Bandit 3.0 Carbon — DOT and SNELL M2020, in a carbon fiber shell at a published 3.37 lb (about 1,529 g), across three shell sizes. This is the only Simpson here tested to the independent voluntary standard, and the lightest in the range.
  • Ghost Bandit — DOT and ECE, lightweight composite shell. Simpson does not publish a weight figure for it.
  • Mod Bandit — DOT and ECE, lightweight composite shell, published 3.73 lb (about 1,692 g), two shell sizes across XS–2XL.
  • Speed Bandit — DOT (FMVSS 218) and ECE 22.05, thermo-injected polycarbonate shell, three shell sizes. No published weight.

The 22.05 point on the Speed Bandit is not a technicality worth skipping. ECE 22.06 replaced 22.05 and added oblique and rotational impact testing along with more impact points and a shield-impact requirement. A helmet approved to 22.05 cleared a genuinely less demanding protocol. It is still a certified helmet and still legal to ride in; it is simply not the same claim as a 22.06 helmet, and the price reflects that.

What you are buying with a Simpson

The shape, and the eyeport that comes with it

The Bandit’s defining feature is the letterbox eyeport — wide and comparatively shallow. Riders who have worn one describe good horizontal peripheral vision and a lower brow line than a conventional full-face. Whether that suits you depends on riding position: the aperture is placed for a rider sitting relatively upright, which is why these work well on cruisers and less well on a hard sport tuck.

Shell counts, which are good

Three shells on the Speed Bandit and the Outlaw Bandit 3.0, two on the Mod Bandit. That matters: a range built on one shell for every size reaches the small sizes by packing in foam, so a small head ends up in a helmet the size of a large one. Simpson does not do that, and for a style-led brand it is a genuine engineering point in its favor.

Touring features on the Ghost and the Mod

Both carry an internal drop-down sun visor, molded speaker and boom microphone pockets, tool-free shield removal and a removable antibacterial liner. That is a properly specified touring helmet wearing racing-heritage bodywork, and it is why the Ghost Bandit is our overall pick — it is the Simpson you can actually commute in.

The things to know before you order

It runs small

Simpson’s own guidance on the Ghost Bandit is that it runs slightly small and that riders between two sizes should take the larger. Measure your head with a tape rather than guessing from your last helmet, and read the maker’s chart for the specific model — our sizing guide covers the method and the fit checks that confirm it.

Amazon listings are size-specific

Simpson’s listings are usually per size and per colorway rather than one page with a size selector, so check the size in the listing title before ordering. That is true of a number of helmets we cover, not just this brand.

Weight is only partly published

Two of the four have a manufacturer weight; two do not, and those spec rows say “Check current listing” rather than showing a number we invented. Where the figures exist they are reasonable: the carbon Outlaw Bandit at roughly 1,529 g sits alongside genuinely light composite helmets on our lightest helmets ranking, and the Mod Bandit’s 1,692 g is normal for a flip-front.

How Simpson compares to the mainstream

On price, a Ghost Bandit sits in the same territory as a Shoei RF-1400 or an AGV K6 S, and those two carry SNELL M2020 and ECE 22.06 respectively. If certification per dollar is your metric, the mainstream premiums win and it is not close — see RF-1400 vs K6 S. What they do not offer is the Bandit shape, and for a lot of riders that is the entire point of the purchase.

The honest recommendation: if you want a Simpson because you want a Simpson, buy the Ghost Bandit for road use or the Outlaw Bandit 3.0 Carbon if you want the SNELL rating and the lower weight. If you are cross-shopping purely on protection at this budget, a conventional full-face will give you more certification for the money. Both of those are legitimate ways to spend it.

How to read our safety notes. We have not crash-tested any of this gear — nobody honestly can on a review budget. Every helmet and armor pick names the certification the maker publishes (DOT, ECE 22.06, SNELL, or a CE level), which we read from the listing on a dated visit. Certification is the floor, not a guarantee; fit and condition matter as much as the sticker. What the standards actually mean.

Frequently asked questions

Are Simpson helmets DOT approved?

Yes — every Simpson model here is DOT-certified to FMVSS 218, which is the legal requirement for on-road sale in the US. What varies across the range is what each model adds on top. The Outlaw Bandit 3.0 Carbon adds SNELL M2020, the Ghost Bandit and Mod Bandit add ECE, and the Speed Bandit adds ECE 22.05 rather than the current 22.06. Check the specific model rather than assuming the range is homologated the same way.

Which Simpson helmet is the safest?

On published certification, the Outlaw Bandit 3.0 Carbon: DOT plus SNELL M2020, which is the independent voluntary standard with a tougher protocol than the federal minimum. It is also the lightest in the range at a published 3.37 lb. That said, 'safest' also depends on fit — a helmet that does not sit correctly on your head cannot do its job regardless of the stickers, so size to the maker's chart and run the fit checks before you decide.

Do Simpson helmets run small?

Simpson's own guidance for the Ghost Bandit is that it runs slightly small and that riders between two sizes should take the larger one. Treat that as a starting point rather than a rule for the whole range, and measure your head with a tape around the widest part rather than ordering by the size of your last helmet. Because Simpson uses two or three shell sizes across the range, the fit changes character at the shell boundaries as well.

Is the Simpson Mod Bandit heavy?

At a published 3.73 lb — roughly 1,692 g — it is normal for a modular rather than heavy for one. A flip-front carries a hinge, a latch and a second sealing surface where the chin bar meets the shell, and that hardware is always mass. For comparison, Shoei's Neotec 3 is 1,850 g. If weight is the deciding factor, the carbon Outlaw Bandit 3.0 at 1,529 g is the lighter Simpson, at the cost of the flip-front convenience.

What is the difference between the Ghost Bandit and the Speed Bandit?

Shell material, certification and features. The Ghost Bandit uses a lightweight composite shell, carries DOT and ECE, and adds an internal drop-down sun visor, speaker and microphone pockets, tool-free shield removal and a removable antibacterial liner. The Speed Bandit uses a thermo-injected polycarbonate shell, carries DOT and the older ECE 22.05, and is a simpler helmet — three shell sizes, a wide four-detent shield, double D-ring closure and speaker cutouts, but no sun visor. The Speed Bandit is roughly half the price.

Are Simpson helmets good for touring?

The Ghost Bandit and Mod Bandit genuinely are — internal sun visor, integrated comms pockets, removable washable liners and vents front, top and rear are the touring feature set, not a styling package. The caveat is that Simpson does not publish noise figures and the wide letterbox eyeport is a large aperture in the airflow, so budget for earplugs. The Speed Bandit and Outlaw Bandit are simpler helmets aimed at shorter, faster rides.

Sources

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